Planned Safety Observations

The basic idea of job safety observation is simple. It is a special effort to see how employees do their jobs. Planned safety observation involves more effort than an occasional or incidental observation of job procedures. This chapter describes various ways of determining unsafe practices and violations of safety rules. This accident prevention method emphasizes the importance of a proper supervisor/employee relationship. Becoming more interested in the employee through observations will lead to greater cooperation in the safety program. 

There are many different types of safety observations. The two that are reviewed in this chapter are incidental observation and planned observation. 

Detecting and correcting any unsafe behavior is an important duty of any supervisor. Supervisors must give this type of observation as much attention as possible by pausing occasionally to talk to and observe employees, and by looking for safe and unsafe behavior. This observation is often done by a casual glance. These actions are incidental safety observations. 

In a planned observation, the supervisor selects the employee and the job to observe. The supervisor also decides the most suitable time. Some supervisors may want 

Steps in performing tbe job or task should be marked (S) Satisfactory, (R) Reobserve, or(U) Unsatisfactory  

In a planned observation, the supervisor selects the employee and the job to observe. The supervisor also decides the most suitable time. Some supervisors may want to make assignments for planned job safety observations. The basic tool for making a planned observation is job safety/hazard analysis (JSA/JHA). (If a JSA/JHA is not used, the supervisor must be completely familiar with the job steps, job hazards, and safe job procedures.) The supervisor should observe the employee doing a complete job cycle, paying attention to safe or unsafe procedures and conditions. A Planned Job Safety Observation Form should be used (see Table 14.1). All safe practices noted should result in a sincere compliment to the employee involved while any unsafe actions call for appropriate corrective measures. In either instance, the supervisor should make an observation record. A planned safety observation is a valuable loss prevention tool. 

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Prepares for planned safety observations during the performance of the task... 

To conduct a planned safety observation, a method must be established to select jobs to observe. The same selection method used in job safety analysis can be used in the job observation selection. These selections are divided into four areas listed below. 

Supervisors may have reasons for observing certain employees. For example, repeat offenses or observed unsafe behavior are examples of an area where a job would be selected because of individual needs. The supervisor should select the repeat offender for regular planned safety observations. Such planned observations can show reasons why some employees have more accidents than others. Another area selected for observation includes chronically unsafe employees. These may be workers who take unnecessary chances, violate safety rules, and develop improper work methods. Workers suspected of being physically or mentally incapable of safe work may also fit into the area of individual needs. 

Many accidents involve experienced employees, and planned safety observations can detect the reasons. Some workers who have been doing a job for many years will often develop short-cuts and effort-saving practices that are hazardous. Because accidents have not happened before, they will insist that the short-cuts are safe. 

Inexperienced workers reqnire lireqnent planned safety observations to establish exactly what they know and do not know about doing their work safely. Further instruction and guidance are nsnaUy the required procedures after observations show the need for additional safety training. 

A planned safety observation gives snpervisors a positive means of determining the effectiveness of safety instructions. It also serves as a learning tool for the supervisor. The supervisor learns more abont each job, each worker, and areas requiring closer supervision. The supervisor will learn to be more perceptive in all areas of responsibility that will result in the best distribution of supervisory time. The supervisor... 

Because supervising workers means observing, the supervisor is the most qualified to make job safety observations. He or she knows the workers and the training they have received, and knows the jobs and how these jobs should be done. With proper preparation, the supervisor can conduct a thorough observation. Other management personnel may take part in the planned safety observation but the supervisor must ultimately be responsible for observation. 

With this in mind, there is another consideration in preparing for the planned safety observation. Should you inform the employee in advance about the observation Under certain conditions, the employee should have advance notice. 

If the employee is new, or one who has relatively little experience, tell him or her in advance. This is also true for an employee who may have experience but has never been checked using a planned safety observation. 

Activities in their areas Steering committee plans Safety observation and outcome data ... 

Management should outline the purpose and types of job safety observations, including how to select a job or task for planned safety observations, how to prepare for a planned safety observation, how to use a checklist of activities to observe unsafe procedures, what the employees role in the observation process is, what occurs after the observation, and how to deal with unsafe behavior and performance. 

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